Clinical Depression: Diagnosis, Explanations and CBT
What clinical depression is and how it differs from ordinary sadness, how it is diagnosed with the ICD, the biological and psychological explanations, and the two main treatments: antidepressant medication and cognitive behaviour therapy.
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Understanding depression
Everyone feels sad sometimes, but clinical depression is a recognised mental health condition that lasts and affects daily life. Psychologists study how it is diagnosed, what may cause it, and how it can be treated. This module looks at the diagnosis, the two main explanations, and the two main treatments in a calm and factual way.
Depression vocabulary
Learn these four terms before you study the detail.
Two explanations
Psychologists explain depression in two main ways.
Sadness is not depression
A top answer keeps the ideas apart. Ordinary sadness passes, while clinical depression is diagnosed with the ICD when several symptoms last for at least two weeks. There are two explanations, a biological one about brain chemistry and a psychological one about negative thinking, and two treatments, medication and cognitive behaviour therapy. The study by Wiles looked at how effective the therapy is.
Match the term
- unipolar depression
- bipolar depression
- the ICD
- cognitive behaviour therapy
- lasting low mood with no very high phases
- low mood alternating with very high mood
- the guide used to diagnose from symptoms
- a talking treatment that changes negative thinking
Explanation or treatment
- low serotonin
- negative schemas
- antidepressant medication
- cognitive behaviour therapy
- part of the biological explanation
- part of the psychological explanation
- a treatment based on biology
- a treatment based on changing thinking
The biological explanation
What does the biological explanation say causes depression?
- An imbalance of neurotransmitters such as serotonin.
- Negative patterns of thinking.
- Cold weather alone.
- A simple choice to feel low.
ICD symptoms
Select the TWO symptoms the ICD uses to help diagnose depression.
- Low mood for much of the day.
- Reduced energy.
- A sudden increase in height.
- Better eyesight.
Order the path to help
Put the steps from noticing symptoms to treatment in order, earliest first.
- Symptoms last for at least two weeks
- The person sees a doctor
- The doctor diagnoses using the ICD
- A treatment is chosen, such as therapy or medication
- Progress is reviewed over time
Complete the facts
Lasting low mood without very high phases is _____ depression. Low mood that alternates with very high mood is _____ depression. Doctors diagnose using the _____. The biological explanation names the neurotransmitter _____. A talking treatment that changes negative thinking is called _____.
How long must symptoms last?
For an ICD diagnosis the symptoms must be present for at least 2 weeks. Multiply 2 by 7 to find the least number of days this is. What is the answer?
Spot the treatments
Tap the TWO treatments for depression.
- cognitive behaviour therapy
- antidepressant medication
- low serotonin
- a negative schema
Biological or psychological?
Read each idea and decide which explanation or treatment it belongs to.
- A psychologist says low mood is caused by an imbalance of serotonin in the brain. Which explanation is this?
- A therapist helps a person notice and change negative thoughts. Which treatment is this?
- A doctor prescribes medication that acts on brain chemistry. Which treatment is this?
Explain the ideas
Explain how clinical depression is understood and treated in psychology.
- Explain how clinical depression differs from ordinary sadness
- Describe the biological and the psychological explanations
- Describe the two treatments and mention one strength or weakness